Latch device for hand bags



May 24, 1932. PQETER 1,859,789

' I LATCH DEVICE} FOR HAND BAGS Filed Nov. 17, 1931 INVENTOR Edward Poeier M ATTOR Y Patented May 24, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWARD POETER, OF IRVINGTON, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO E. IOETER & 00., OF IRVINGTON, NET/V JERSEY, A CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY LATCH DEVICE FOR HAND BAGS Application filed November 17, 1931. Serial No. 575,554.

This invention relates to an improved latch device for hand bags, and has for its primary object and purpose to provide such a latch device particularly designed for use in connection with ladies hand bags of the type which is usually carried under the arm, and which is characterized principally by the fact that the finger piece, whereby the latch means may be actuated to permit opening of the bag, is located adjacent one'end of the bag frame. Thus this operating member which maybe produced in various ornamental forms will be visible when the bag is held under the arm.

It is a more particular object of the invention to provide latch means for hand bags of the above type wh rein the cooperating latch elements are centrally mounted upon the complementary bag frame members,

29 whereby the two frames will be held in close face to face contact throughout their length, and an operating connection between one of the latch elements and the finger piece mounted upon the bag frame member.

:5 It is a further general object of the mvention to provide a latch device of the above description, which may be easily applied to hand bag frames of various forms, consists of few parts of simple and durable construc- 50 tion and will be eflicient and reliable in its functional operation.

With the above and other objects in view, the invention consists in the improved latch device for hand bags, and in the form, construction and relative arrangement of its several parts as will be hereinafter more particularly described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and subsequently incorporated in the subjoined claims.

In the drawings wherein I have disclosed one simple and practical embodiment of the invention, and in which similar reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a hand bag frame, certain parts being shown in section, and having one" of my improved latch means applied thereto;

Fig. 2 is a top plan view;

Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view on an the purpose of illustration, I have herein 1 shown complementary bag frame members 5 and 6 respectively of conventional shape or configuration, and hingedly connected with each other at their corresponding ends, as indicated at 7 for relative movement towards and from each other. In the present instance, I have shown these frame members of the inverted channel or U-shape type, wherein the channels receiving the edges of the pouch or bag material indicated at B open outwardly. However, it will be evident, as this description proceeds, that in addition to such well known forms of frame members, my invention is likewise applicable to various other forms or cross sectional shapes of these bag frames with which the art is familiar.

In the construction herein disclosed, I secure to the base wall of the top or intermediate portion of the frame member 6, in any suitable manner, and substantially midway of its length, a downwardly projecting latch lug 8 having a beveled or inclined side face 9 for a purpose which will presently become apparent.

The base wall of the other frame member 5 on the top or intermediate portion thereof, and at its approximate center, is provided with a slot shown at 10, through which the part 12 of the movable latching element 11 upwardly projects. In this part 12, one end of the wire spring 13 is securely fixed and extends longitudinally within the channel of the frame member 5, and at its other end is formed with the angular projection 14 which, by contact with one of the side walls of the frame member, places said resilient wire 13 under tension, thereby yieldingly holding the movable latch element 11 in its normal position. This latch element is formed with an arm 15 extending transversely and inwardly from the frame member 5, and terminating in the upwardly projecting finger 16, having a beveled or inclined face 17.

To the movable latch element 11 below the part 12 thereof, one end of a rod 18 is securely fixed. This rod extends longitudinally of the frame member, and at its other end is journall'e'd or supported for rotating movement in one vertical side portion of the frame member, as indicated at 19. Adjacent to said supported end, the rod 18 has rigidly fixed thereto in any suitable manner, a radially projecting lug 20 to extend outwardly through a suitable slot or opening provided in one side wall of the bag or pouch material B. Upon the extremity of this lug and extending above and below, the same, the finger piece 21 is attached by means of a pivot pin 22. This finger piece 21 may be produced in a great variety of ornamental forms and of any desired metal. The initials or monogram of the owner may be engraved on the surface thereof, or otherwise applied thereto. Thus, this finger piece for operating the latch device will constitute a highly ornamental adjunct to the hand bag. It is therefore desirable that it should be visible at all times, and by locating this operating finger piece adjacent to one end of the bag frame, this purpose is attained when the bag is carried under the arm and the central area or section thereof is thereby concealed or hidden from view. It is also necessary in such hand bags that the cooperating latch. elements whereby the bag frames are held in closed position, shall be located at the center of the bag since if said elements were located at one end of the bag frame and in line with the operating finger piece, the two frame members at the other side of the bag would spread apart and not be maintained in close face to face contact with each other. Therefore, while providing for the display of the ornamental operating fin 'er piece or plate, the location of the latching elements at the center of the bag frame members is retained, and by means of the operating connection 18 be-.

tween the finger piece and the movable latching element, the latter may be easily and quickly operated to release the frame members for relative opening movement.

It will be evident from the above description, that when the finger is applied to the lower end of the plate 21 and said plate lifted or swung outwardly from pivot 22, as inclicated in dotted lines in Fig. 3 of the drawings, upon contact of said plate above its pivot with the end of lug 20, the rod 18 will be rocked, thereby also transversely rocking or moving the latch element 11 against the resistance ofthe spring 13 to disengage its finger 16 from the fixed lug 8 and the frame member 6, whereupon the two frame members may be separated or moved apart to the open position. It will be evident from reference to Fig. 3 that in this movement of the latch element 11, the ends of rod 18 moves therewith out of central vertical alignment with the frame member 5, thus placing this rod under a certain degree of tensional strain which supplements the action of the spring 13 in returning latch element 11 to its normal position upon the release of the finger piece 21.

It will be manifest that when the two bag frame members 5 and 6 are moved towards each other to close the bag, the inclined surface 17 of finger 16 on the latch element 11 will engage the inclined surface 9 of the fixed lug 8, so that the free end of the latch element willbe forced downwardly and said element rocked. on the frame 5 against the resistance of spring 13, until the finger 16 has passed beyond the lower end of lug 8, when the latching element 11 is returned to its normal position and held in latched engagement with said lug.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, the construction, manner of use and several advantages of my improved latch device as herein disclosed will be clearly understood. It will be seen that the several elements are of simple and durable construction, and can be easily applied to various types of hand bag frames without appreciably increasing the production cost of such frames. The device also is highly efficient as a reliable latching connection for the relatively movable frame members, and in addition enables such hand bags to be provided with a very novel and attractive ornamental accessory which at the same time subserves a necessary utilitarian purpose.

I have herein shown and described a practical embodiment of the invention which has been found highly satisfactory in actual use. Nevertheless, it is to be understood that the essential features of my present improvements are susceptible of embodiment in various other alternative structural forms, and I accordingly reserve the privilege of resorting to all such legitimate changes therein as may be fairly embodied within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

I claim:

1. In combination with complementary bag frame members, latch means therefor mounted upon the frame members substantially centrally between the ends thereof, and including a latch element mounted on one frame member to move transversely thereof, a finger plate located adjacent to one end of said frame member at the top thereof, and means mounted upon said frame member and operatively connecting said finger plate with the movable latching element.

2. In combination with complementary bag frame members, latch means therefor mounted upon the frame members substantially centrally between the ends thereof,

and including a movable latch element mounted on one frame member, a rod fixed at one of its ends to said movable latch element and mounted at its other end upon said frame member to rotate about its longitudinal axis, and an operating finger piece for said movable latch element connected with said rod and located adjacent one end of the frame member at the top thereof.

3. In combination With complementary bag frame members, latch means for releasably holding said members substantially in face to face contact throughout their length, said latch means being arranged centrally between the ends of the frame members and including a latching element mounted upon one of the frame members for transverse rocking movement, a rod connected at one of its ends to said latching element extending longitudinally of the frame member and rotatably mounted at its other end on one end of said frame member, and an operating finger piece connected to said rod adjacent the latter end thereof.

4. In combination With complementary bag frame members, latch means for releasably holding said members substantially in face to face contact throughout their length, said latch means being arranged centrally between the ends of the frame members and including a latching element mounted upon one of the frame members for transverse rocking movement, a rod connected at one of its ends to said latching element extending longitudinally of the frame member and rotatably mounted at its other end on one end of said frame member, a lug fixed to said rod adjacent its latter end to extend outwardly through an opening in one side Wall of the hand bag, and an operating finger piece pivotally attached to said lug to cooperate therewith and actuate said latching element to its released position.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name hereto.

EDWARD POETER. 

